Valentines Apron Swap

        I'm still packing away Christmas and trying to get the house back to normal, but I thought I had better mention the next apron swap before time totally got away from me! As you can tell, the next apron swap is all about Valentines day, the holiday of love so this swap is fun, festive and sure brightens up the dreary month of February!  Sadly, the last two swaps left one person without a apron in return so I'm going to have to get tough with my swaps, because it's not fair when one partner keeps her end of the deal and the other doesn't! That's just not right or cool! So, from now on, you must be a follower and you MUST leave me someway to contact you like a active email. And please, don't sign up if you have a slightest doubt of not following through, in fact, another must is making contact with your partner before mailing out the apron. The whole purpose of these swaps is to gain a new friend and a new apron!
      So, with all that said, here we go! If you'd like to join in on this apron swap, leave me a comment on this post only with your email addy. This is a Valentine themed swap so your tuckins should be for that occasion, just a few, nothing fancy or expensive. Deadline to enter is Jan. 15th with the shipping date set for Feb. 1 unless you and your partner come to a understanding if needing more time. Once paired, you will receive your partners name and email addy from me so you can get to know each other some to help you create the perfect apron.
       I've been hosting these apron swaps for a couple of years with little mishaps till now, so let's keep it honest and fun! Thank you to all who did follow through with your swaps, and I hope you will be joining us again! I'm trusting this swap will be just fine!
               

Tasty Tuesday

              If you've been following me for awhile now, you know I love different recipes, remember the bacon jam below? And for the record, I did make a batch for Christmas gifts for the men, it smelled very good! I love using teas in recipes in place of water, coffee is my secret ingredient in cakes too! Since it's still the holiday season and ginger is so good for you, I found and am sharing a tasty recipe for Chai Gingerbread bars that paired with a cup of joe, would really be a nice way to start the New Year!

Chai Gingerbread Bars

• 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Allspice
• 1 teaspoon Chai Tea Leaves
• 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• ½ teaspoons Baking Soda
• 1 cup Butter, Softened
• 1 cup Dark Brown Sugar
• ½ cups White Sugar
• 2 whole Large Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Grated Ginger

In a bowl, put flour, all the spices, chai tea and baking soda. Mix together.

In your mixer, beat the butter with the sugars until soft. One at a time, add the eggs. Beat until they are combined. Mix in the vanilla and grated ginger. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture. Blend until the flour is blended in.

Scoop the batter into the pan. Spread it around evenly over the bottom of the 9 x 13 pan. With a greased spatula (sprayed with a bit of cooking spray, because the batter is pretty sticky!), smooth out the batter. Sprinkle the top with white sugar (totally optional). I have a feeling that you might be looking in the bottom of that pan and start thinking that it just doesn’t look like enough batter. It is. Trust me.

Bake for about 25 minutes IN  350 oven.. When you poke it with a toothpick, it should come out clean with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely before cutting. And, if you can wait, put it in the fridge and let the bars get cold. They are even better cold!

And of course, ENJOY!

         I'm trusting you all had a lovely Christmas and full of blessings, that was my wish for you, even though I didn't get a chance to pop on wish you properly, I had my hands full, of Miss Ellie! It was love at first site as we got to meet our newest grand daughter! She's almost 3 months old now and finally in newborn clothes and almost tipping the scales at 8 pounds! She's a doll!  I sure do miss her!  

     But, I'm busy packing up Christmas but will keep the spirit all year long! My mind wants to wonder towards spring time plans and playing in the dirt! But with months to go before I can even think about gardening, I'm cleaning and organizing the house! What is it about the new year that makes us want to get organized? I also have a painting project in mind......when I rest, I rust! lol

    

Crunch Time.....

       And I'm not talking about food! Even though I've been baking almost daily all week. Those pretty cake stands I've been making can't be delivered empty! :) With just days before the big day, it's all about cleaning, shopping, wrapping....repeat! But, somehow, some way, it all gets done and is over in less than a day! Just too bad the spirit of Christmas didn't last longer, we try......

          Remember my newest granddaughter who was born 6 weeks early and weighed only 3 lbs. 10 oz., well she's 2 months old now and heading this way this afternoon!!! We will get to meet her and hold her for the first time, it's truly my best gift this season!!! I can't wait!!! Miss Ellie is almost 8 pds., and finally in newborn clothes, even though some things like socks and shoes are still way too big but she's doing great!!!
Time to get this busy day started and charge the camera!!! :) Tis the season!

More Cake Stands!

             Tis the season to make more cake stands!!! All the girls in the family are getting one, because I can't stop making them! :)  I really lucked out too, combed every flea market/thrift store in town and found plates for $1 and the most I paid for a base was $2.25 and it was crystal, a candy dish at that!  My all time favorite so far, is the Christmas one with my gingerbread house on it. The vintage white place with red bands was a thrill to find, then the candle holder as the base was perfect! So, I treated myself and kept it! lol  Thank you Pinterest once again for supplying my hands with a new hobby, cake stands for everyone! Ho Ho Ho!

The Halls are Decked......

                  My house has been all decked out for almost 2 weeks now, I'm just slow in sharing! I've really enjoyed all the holiday open houses in blogland, I love to see how everyone decorates for Christmas, even saved a few ideas for next year! The collage above is the main tree in the living room and the dining room which is open to the living room, which opens to the kitchen so these three rooms really get festive but I did sneak a little Christmas cheer into the outhouse bathroom, just some pointsettas in the washtub and of course my santa sitting in the outhouse!
      Just one week left before Christmas, are you ready? Don't feel bad, I'm not either! I'm becoming a pro at procrastination! The crunch is on, this week will be devoted to the menu, cleaning, and finishing the shopping! If you have your holiday home posted on your blog, leave a link, I'll come visit and bring some cookies!

Tasty Tuesday

            Here we are, less than 2 weeks till Christmas, are you still needing some gift ideas? I've come up with his and her jams. The perfect gift for those really hard to buy for people on your list. My annual Christmas jam is sweet and festive and easy to make and can be dressed up for the occasion.

Christmas Jam

2 c. cranberries
1 orange, peeled & quartered
16 oz. frozen strawberries, thawed
3 c. sugar
3 oz. liquid pectin
5 half pint jars (ready to fill)
Coarsely grind cranberries and orange sections in a food processor. Spoon into a heavy saucepan, add strawberries and sugar. Bring mixture to a full boil, stirring for one min. Remove from heat and stir in pectin, skim off foam. Pour into prepared jars and process for 10 min. Makes 5- 1/2 pints

       And for the man who LOVES bacon, this bacon jam will make him squeal with delight! I must admit, when I seen this on Pinterest my first thought was "not another bacon recipe", I love bacon but this whole bacon craze is getting out of control ( bacon toothpaste, really!) but I may even try this, might be good hamburgers!

Bacon Jam

From Tide and Thyme

Yields 1 pint

1 pound smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, sliced
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon Sriracha or hot sauce
1 cup coffee
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup maple syrup
Black pepper to taste
extra water

In a dutch oven, fry the bacon in batches until lightly browned and beginning to crisp. Remove to paper towel lined plate and set aside. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease out of the pan.

Fry the onion and garlic in the rendered bacon fat on medium heat until translucent.

Add the bacon to the onions and garlic, and add the rest of the ingredients except for the water. Simmer for 2 hours adding 1/4 of a cup of water every 25-30 minutes or so, and stir regularly.

Jam is done when you can’t tell the onions from the bacon. Cool for about 15-20 minutes and then place in a food processor. Pulse for 2-3 seconds so that you leave some texture to the “jam”. Refrigerate up to two weeks.

         There you have it, the perfect gifts for when you run out of ideas or money! I'm curious and will be trying this recipe, may even surprise the boys with a jar! Have fun in the kitchen, baking up some love this afternoon too! 

My Christmas Kitchen 2011

          Tis the season, to deck the halls and make the house merry and bright! I told myself I was going simple this year, but once I dragged out all the tubs of Christmas cheer and got started, something came over me and well, I went overboard again this year! But hey, my grandkids need that wow factor and I so enjoyed it! My gingerbread tree warms my heart and spirits, something about those cute little guys!

     My gingerbread collection spills over onto the hutch in the kitchen, along with my little retro tinsel tree with cookie cutters hanging all about!

        The gingerbread tree divides the kitchen from the dining room a little! But I'll share that room in another post! Even the bathroom got festive, just a hint! lol   It's like eating potato chips..........

         Part of the kitchen counter, or baking central I should say. I used one of my homemade cake stands here to help display some of my sweet decorations,  I'm making more of these for gifts! Back to kitchen for me, I'm baking cookies ( oatmeal and cranberry) plus trying out new recipes for the Christmas menu, my hubby likes this part, he gets first taste! From my Christmas kitchen to yours, happy baking! And if you have your Christmas house on tour, be sure to leave a link here so I can come visit!

Tasty Tuesday

               Tis the season!!! Fudge season that is, and I'm not sure why it's the only time of the year that I make it? Doesn't seem right, does it!  I no longer just make the plain ole chocolate fudge, I like to get festive with my fudge! Now, you either like eggnog or you don't. I used to be able to drink it straight but it's too rich for me now, but I love it in sweets: cake, pie, pancakes, bread and yes fudge!! This recipe is also published in the Christmas in the Country Gooseberry Cookbook so look me up!

Eggnog Fudge

3 c. sugar
1 c. eggnog
1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows
1/2 t. cinnamon, nutmeg
2 Tbsp. butter
6 oz. white chocolate chips
1 c. slivered almonds
Combine sugar and eggnog in a large saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over med. heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 min. Fold in marshmallows, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring back to a rolling boil, cook for 6 min., stirring. Remove from heat and stir in butter, chocolate chips and almonds. Stir until well mixed. Pour into a greased aluminum foil lined 9x9 baking pan. Cool completely at room temperature. Turn out of pan, peel off foil and cut into squares. Makes about 5 dozen.


       You can dress it up for the holidays by adding crushed peppermint candy as a topping!  This is a rich fudge so a little goes a long way, but hey, it's Christmas! With that sentiment in mind, it's a double feature today, I'm also posting my eggnog pie recipe. Eggnog is pricey this season so I like to get all I can from one carton. And if your lucky enough to have chickens who are still laying ( give them warm water if you want them to lay) use fresh eggs to make your own eggnog, it can't be beat!


Eggnog Pie


1 qt. eggnog
2 pkg. instant vanilla pudding ( 1 5.1 oz and 1 3.4 oz box)
2 Tbsp. bourbon or rum extract ( I use the extract)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 graham cracker crusts
In a large bowl combine all ingredients expect pie crusts and mix well with mixer till combined and starting to thicken. Pour into crusts and chill or freeze. Sprinkle extra nutmeg on top. Makes 2 pies.


      So, this should keep you busy till next week! I'll be posting my holiday house tour soon and if you have photos of your Christmas decorating on your blog, leave me a link, would love to take the tour! Till then, let's get busy making some fudge, tis the season! Enjoy!!

Gingerbread Playdoh

             My addiction to all things gingerbread just got bigger thanks to The Sweet Adventures of Sweet Sugar Belle where I found this recipe for gingerbread playdoh! Every year I gather the grandkids to make gingerbread cookies, they love to decorate them, making each one different from the last but this year I think we will play with this recipe so I can allow them to dry out and harden for keepsakes, and to place on my gingerbread tree in the kitchen ( photos to come soon). And of course, I thought I'd share this because it's cheap fun and I bet it smells good enough to eat, but don't tell the kids! And yes, I pinned it too! lol

Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp orange extract {optional}

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan whisk together dry ingredients. Next mix in the water, oil, and orange extract and stir until a thick batter is formed. Cook the mixture over low/medium heat until a thick dough forms. Turn out onto parchment paper and knead until smooth. Makes about 2 cups of dough.

Copyright © 2010-2011 Sweet Sugarbelle.